Flexible upper edge portion fiber shoe counter



July 19, 1955 G. J. PONCE 2,713,216

FLEXIBLE UPPER EDGE PORTION FIBER SHOE COUNTER Filed July 19, 1954 l/V/ENTOR: GERHLD J P0 A/CE United States Patent FLEXFBLE UPPER EDGE Plli-i'ilfii l Eli-3E3, filifilo CGUNTER Gerald E. Ponce, Afiton, Mo.

Application July 19, 1954, Serial No. 444,149

The present invention relates generally to shoe counters, and more particularly to a fiber, or the like, shoe counter having a novel pliable or flexible upper edge portion.

For quantity produced shoes, it is essential that the heel counter be an inexpensive component, but it must have a flexible upper edge portion. The inexpensive fiber counter which has been developed and is in use is too still around the upper edge portion for over-all satisfactory use. Over the years, a number of methods have been employed to render the upper portion of a fiber or similar material counter pliable or flexible. Within the experience of the applicant, both mechanical and chemical methods of rendering the upper portion of a fiber counter, or the like, more pliable have not been entirely successful, either from the use or economic viewpoints.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a shoe counter of fiber, or like material, having a pliable or flexible upper portion which will be comfortable to the foot of a wearer of a shoe in which the counter is used.

In brief, the present fiber counter incorporates an upper edge portion which includes a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel lengthwise creases running across the full length of the counter. The spaced creases are formed by a grooved roller, or the like, the flanged portions of which preferably do not cut the fiber material, but push the material to each side in part and in part compact the material directly beneath the crease in each instance. The upper portion of a fiber counter thus provided with creases or channels is quite flexible and pliable so that the counter may be used in a ladys shoe without disconi fort to the wearer.

Another object is to provide a novel counter of fiber or other material including a pliable or flexible upper edge portion having mechanical displacement of predetermined portions thereof.

Another object is to provide a novel shoe counter of fiber or like material having a pliable or flexible upper edge portion formed of alternate valley and ridge transverse cross section so that the said upper portion will readily bend against pressure, thereby providing a comfortable Wearing edge for the counter.

Another object is to provide a novel inexpensive counter for shoes which incorporates a comfortable upper Wearing portion.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a fiber counter blank incorporating the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 22 of Figure l; and

Figure 3 is an isometric view of a formed fiber counter incorporating the present invention.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, 10 indicates generally a fiber shoe counter blank having a lower edge 12 and an upper skived or feathered edge 1 Spaced, substantially concentric, lengthwise or longitudinal grooves or creases 16 are formed in the upper portion of the blank 10 adjacent the upper 14, as is clear from Figures 1 and 2. Between the creases 16 and to the free sides of the outermost ones are ridges or raised portions 18. It is to be understood that the creases 16 do not cut into or break the fiber or other material, but are formed by compressing the fiber or other material of the blank 10 directly beneath each crease l6 and by displacing to each side thereof a portion of the adjacent material.

in Figure 3, there is shown a counter 20 formed from the blank 15?. As is customary with fiber counters, the material of the counter 20 adjacent the lower edge 12 is crimped at The upper portion incorporating the creases 16 and the ridges 13 of the counter 20 are flexible or pliable laterally, that is, towards and away from the foot of a wearer when in a shoe, so that a comfortable Wearing edge is provided.

The creases 16 may be formed by passing a grooved roller over the inner surface of the blank 10 under pressure in predetermined amount, so that the creases 16 and resultant ridges 18 will be formed without break ng the fiber or other material of wh ch the blank it) is formed. The creasing action may be performed manually or automatically by machinery. A single crease 16 may be formed in one operation, or all of the creases 16 may be formed at one time, as desired.

Fiber material has been particularly mentioned herein, since it is generally employed in the shoe industry at the present time, but it is to be understood that the present invention is applicable to other normally stiff materials which may be used as shoe counters. The particular cross sections of the creases l6 and the ridges 1-3 are not material, and may be varied as desired. In the described embodiment, the creases 16 are formed without cutting the material, but it is to be understood that cutting may be required for particular materials and the invention includes the same.

it is manifest that there has been provided a novel shoe counter construction which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. is also to be understood that changes in form of the several parts, substitution of equivalent elements, and rearrangement of parts, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claim which follows.

What is claimed is:

A shoe counter comprising a stiff main body, and a flexible upper edge portion including spaced substantially longitudinally extending grooves, the thickness of the counter material at the bottom of the grooves being less than that of the respective counter portions bordering the said grooves, said grooves comprising weakness planes along which the counter material my bend.

Refrences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 276,550 Andrews May 1, 1883 369,766 Barney Sept. 13, 1887 1,007,078 Eddins Oct. 31, 1911 1,023,877 Rogers Apr. 23, 1912 1,787,610 Blustein Jan. 6, 1931 

